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Warner Bros. has expanded its relationship with Lego, granting the toymaker access to DC Entertainment's complete library of comicbook characters and stories to launch DC Universe "Super Heroes" as figures and playsets.

The multi-year licensing deal, made through Warner Bros. Consumer Products, will start rolling out the new line in January, starting with 13 characters, including Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman and villains the Joker, Bane, Harley Quinn and Lex Luthor.

The first toys will be shown off at the Lego booth at Comic-Con Intl. in San Diego, where 3,000 exclusive Batman and Green Lantern minifigures will be distributed to launch a promo that runs August-December, enabling fans to create and submit videos, photos or illustrations of the characters to win trips to Legoland and Warner Bros. Studios.

WB and Lego had already been producing toys and videogames around the Batman franchise, and will launch a new set of playthings around next summer's "The Dark Knight Rises" through the Lego Batman collection. The "Lego Batman: The Videogame," published by WB Bros. Interactive Entertainment, has sold more than 12 million units since 2008."This partnership gives builders a chance to recreate the characters, vehicles and worlds of some of the most iconic super heroes, so they can relive the action and even customize it, a proven and winning formula in Lego construction," said Jill Wilfert, VP, licensing and entertainment for the Lego Group.

Edit - Further info:

Two of the world’s most iconic brands are joining forces as The LEGO Group, world leader in high quality construction toys, and Marvel Entertainment, LLC, a global character -based entertainment company, announced a wide ranging strategic licensing deal. Through the multi-year agreement starting as of January 1st, 2012, Marvel has granted LEGO Group the rights to develop a distinct Marvel branded construction toy collection — LEGO SUPER HEROES — which will bring the characters, vehicles and action of Marvel’s renowned universe to the world of LEGO® build-and-play adventure. The LEGO SUPER HEROES Marvel collection’s initial construction sets, minifigures and buildable characters are scheduled to launch in May of 2012.

The LEGO SUPER HEROES Marvel collection will spotlight three Marvel franchises – Marvel’s The Avengers movie, and X-Men and Spider-Man classic characters. The LEGO Marvel’s The Avengers movie line brings such ever popular Marvel characters as Iron Man, The Hulk, Captain America, Thor, Hawkeye, Loki and Black Widow to LEGO minifigure form. The LEGO X-Men collection includes minifigure comic versions of Wolverine, Magneto, Nick Fury and Deadpool, while the LEGO Spider-Man sets offer minifigure comic versions of Spider-Man, and Doctor Octopus. The first buildable characters in the LEGO SUPER HEROES collection are highlighted by Captain America, The Hulk and Iron Man. Select figures will be unveiled in the LEGO booth (#2829) during Comic-Con International at the San Diego Convention Center July 21-24.

“Our partnership with Marvel helps us continue to deliver some of the best and most constructible Super Hero stories of all time,” said Jill Wilfert, vice president, licensing and entertainment for The LEGO Group. “We’re thrilled to partner with Marvel to create creative, constructive play sets for builders, fans and collectors alike.”

Joann Mclaughlin, Executive Vice President Toys & Hardlines, Marvel Entertainment, commented, “The partnership with LEGO Group furthers Marvel’s strategy to align our brand with the best in class leaders across various industries who have the global marketing expertise and distribution clout to stand out in the retail environment. This deal solidifies the already robust presence of our characters and the overall Marvel brand in the ever important toy category.”

The retail debut of the Marvel-inspired LEGO SUPER HEROES collection is timed to coincide with the highly anticipated Summer 2012 blockbuster movie release of Marvel Studios and Walt Disney Pictures feature film Marvel’s The Avengers.

Edited July 20, 2011 by RufusAdded picture of Batman and rest. Updated

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I just hope this doesn't nullify the rumors of an Avengers license. If we get both... well, then the Mayans will be proven right as the world will most likely implode from the sheer awesomenes.

My guess is it probably does dramatically reduce the chances of an Avengers license, as I'd imagine DC insisted on Lego not working with competitors for the period of the contract. Does anyone know of other toy companies putting out both DC and Marvel products at the same time?

Anyway, it's great news, even though I have most of the original Batman sets I won't complain about getting more, and an official Superman minfig would be brilliant.

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Great news indeed! When the last Batman line existed, I was foolish enough to buy none of the sets, but this will fix my wrong choices. I have never been very interested in Wonder Woman or Man of steel, but Bats is cool. I hope they release set with Jim Gordon this time, he has always been my favourite Batman character.

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My guess is it probably does dramatically reduce the chances of an Avengers license, as I'd imagine DC insisted on Lego not working with competitors for the period of the contract. Does anyone know of other toy companies putting out both DC and Marvel products at the same time?

Anyway, it's great news, even though I have most of the original Batman sets I won't complain about getting more, and an official Superman minfig would be brilliant.

This is awesome news! We missed the batman sets so now bats and more are coming. But it looks like sideshow collectibles just picked up the dc license for statues and busts and they also produce products for marvel.

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Given we have 13 characters I assume we'll have even more figs, like multiple Batman figs. I'm figuring we'll be getting about 8 sets (assuming about 2 unique figs per set).

Superman and Lex.

Wonder Woman, not sure who else would be in that set as I've never been a fan.

At least two or three batman sets, particularly given 3 Batman villains were listed and there were 6 characters not listed (although Green Lantern is obviously one now). I reckon Robin and Catwoman are a chance to turn up in sets as well.

At least one Green Lantern

The great news is we only have to speculate for a few days and then we'll have way more information.